FRUSTRATED residents are locked in a battle with council chiefs who have ordered them to remove bike sheds from their front gardens.

A total of 21 households in Withdean, Brighton, have been served notice to remove the sheds as they are violating planning laws. Households on Loder Road, Bates Road, Herbert Road and Balfour Road have all been issued with notices.

Residents said they are being “victimised” and cannot understand why planning officers are targeting their sheds when the council is promoting cycling.

Kieran Barnard, of Bates Road, branded the situation “crazy” as he and his wife, Claudia, and their two children. have had their bike shed for four years. The 38-year-old physiotherapist said: “It is really frustrating and we feel a bit victimised for living in a terraced house. We do not have rear access or anywhere suitable to keep our bikes at the back.

“I feel as if we will not use our bikes as much now, surely the council can make the decision whether to enforce these rules and the planners are undermining the council ethos.

“We are trying to set an example to our two young boys by encouraging them to exercise. Our six-year-old Sam, in particular, loves to cycle.

“The planners are not only targeting individual cyclists, they are targeting whole families.”

Tom Atkins, also of Bates Road, said he had to take his shed down after being threatened with legal action – decrying the affair as “bureaucratic nonsense”.

The 37-year-old said they were refused retrospective planning permission and then refused again when they applied a second time.

He added: “One department of the council is working towards promoting cycling while one department seems to be working against. It seems like a waste of taxpayers’ money.”

Clarence Mitchell, Conservative candidate for Brighton Pavillion, said: “By storing them safely in front of the property the bikes are used far more, promoting a healthier lifestyle, encouraging the next generation on to cycles and reducing vehicle pollution – all key aims of the current Green administration. So why are BHCC’s own planning officers now undermining those aims?”

Caroline Lucas, MP for Brighton Pavilion, said: “On the face of things, the orders seem to me to be unreasonable and don’t sit well with all the positive measures the council is taking to promote cycling.”

A council spokesman said any structure or tall fence in a front garden required planning permission.

He said: “There is no distinction in planning guidelines between a bike shed or any other shed.

“The reason for these guidelines is to prevent developments in front gardens ruining the general street scene.

“Guidelines for back gardens do tend to allow sheds but anyone considering building one should check with their local council planning department.

“We can categorically state with 100% certainty that no politicians from any party have been involved in initiating any enforcement actions over sheds in front gardens.”

Comments (57)

Under a bike fetish Green council. You could not make it up. There is a way of venting your spleen though. http://www.theargus.
co.uk/news/11366427.
Not_a_present_for_so
meone_you_love____Po
liticians_plastered_
over_chamber_pots/

Under a bike fetish Green council. You could not make it up. There is a way of venting your spleen though. http://www.theargus.
co.uk/news/11366427.
Not_a_present_for_so
meone_you_love____Po
liticians_plastered_
over_chamber_pots/We love Red Billy

Congratulations to the planning department. Sad to see people making pitiful arguments. Anyway, this seems a disgraceful waste of what looks like perfectly good student accommodation.
Don't let people to crap on planning laws or some slumlord will eventually start renting sheds out as "deceptively spacious...with limited internet".
Unsurprised to see an ill-thought out comment from the Empress of Balcombe.

Congratulations to the planning department. Sad to see people making pitiful arguments. Anyway, this seems a disgraceful waste of what looks like perfectly good student accommodation.
Don't let people to crap on planning laws or some slumlord will eventually start renting sheds out as "deceptively spacious...with limited internet".
Unsurprised to see an ill-thought out comment from the Empress of Balcombe.From beer to uncertainty

“We can categorically state with 100% certainty that no politicians from any party have been involved in initiating any enforcement actions over sheds in front gardens.”

So we can rest assured that this is the result of an idiot jobsworth in the employ of the local community.
Care to identify yourself Sir/Ms/Plank?

“We can categorically state with 100% certainty that no politicians from any party have been involved in initiating any enforcement actions over sheds in front gardens.”
So we can rest assured that this is the result of an idiot jobsworth in the employ of the local community.
Care to identify yourself Sir/Ms/Plank?qm

Leave the sheds where they are.
The council has taken no action against people who are parking old caravans and trailers outside homes for the same purpose. There is a caravan near my elderly aunts home which is used by a family in a nearby house as additional living accommodation and the council has done nothing.
Also go up to Freshfield Road and see people living in similar vans on the roadside.
The council has to have rules for all or no rules at all.

Leave the sheds where they are.
The council has taken no action against people who are parking old caravans and trailers outside homes for the same purpose. There is a caravan near my elderly aunts home which is used by a family in a nearby house as additional living accommodation and the council has done nothing.
Also go up to Freshfield Road and see people living in similar vans on the roadside.
The council has to have rules for all or no rules at all.Maxwell's Ghost

Why has the planning department got time for this, which doesn't seem wanted by anyone, but not time to respond to planning applications on time?

Why has the council picked just on these few roads? These bike sheds are all over Brighton. There are a few on my road. Yet the council is not targeting them. These sheds are typically the size of a couple of wheelie bins (which the council has freely littered our streets with) - so not normally a major issue. Surely an area where, although technically permission is required, no enforcement should be taken unless the shed is clearly massive and large enough for a car!

Another addition for the accident prone green led council. Great material for a comedy. Although with the greens killing fish, trying to chop down trees, reducing recycling and now being anti-bicycle it might look a bit far fetched!

Why has the planning department got time for this, which doesn't seem wanted by anyone, but not time to respond to planning applications on time?
Why has the council picked just on these few roads? These bike sheds are all over Brighton. There are a few on my road. Yet the council is not targeting them. These sheds are typically the size of a couple of wheelie bins (which the council has freely littered our streets with) - so not normally a major issue. Surely an area where, although technically permission is required, no enforcement should be taken unless the shed is clearly massive and large enough for a car!
Another addition for the accident prone green led council. Great material for a comedy. Although with the greens killing fish, trying to chop down trees, reducing recycling and now being anti-bicycle it might look a bit far fetched!NickBtn

Maxwell's Ghost wrote:
Leave the sheds where they are.
The council has taken no action against people who are parking old caravans and trailers outside homes for the same purpose. There is a caravan near my elderly aunts home which is used by a family in a nearby house as additional living accommodation and the council has done nothing.
Also go up to Freshfield Road and see people living in similar vans on the roadside.
The council has to have rules for all or no rules at all.

Didn't former Brighton and Hove Mayor Denise Cobb have one in her front garden for a 'relative' to stay in ? One rule for them etc

[quote][p][bold]Maxwell's Ghost[/bold] wrote:
Leave the sheds where they are.
The council has taken no action against people who are parking old caravans and trailers outside homes for the same purpose. There is a caravan near my elderly aunts home which is used by a family in a nearby house as additional living accommodation and the council has done nothing.
Also go up to Freshfield Road and see people living in similar vans on the roadside.
The council has to have rules for all or no rules at all.[/p][/quote]Didn't former Brighton and Hove Mayor Denise Cobb have one in her front garden for a 'relative' to stay in ? One rule for them etcWe love Red Billy

NickBtn wrote:
Why has the planning department got time for this, which doesn't seem wanted by anyone, but not time to respond to planning applications on time?

Why has the council picked just on these few roads? These bike sheds are all over Brighton. There are a few on my road. Yet the council is not targeting them. These sheds are typically the size of a couple of wheelie bins (which the council has freely littered our streets with) - so not normally a major issue. Surely an area where, although technically permission is required, no enforcement should be taken unless the shed is clearly massive and large enough for a car!

Another addition for the accident prone green led council. Great material for a comedy. Although with the greens killing fish, trying to chop down trees, reducing recycling and now being anti-bicycle it might look a bit far fetched!

Good luck to all the people who have nice, tidy storage in their front gardens. They do not offend the eye at all.

These roads in question lead onto Surrenden Road with its collection of very untidy traveller vans constantly parked but obviously nothing will ever be done about those as I am sure that council staff have regular memos telling them to let these van dwellers do just as they like. Also garden rubbish trailers have been parked at the top of Surrenden Crescent for around two years on and off. Looks ugly and again nothing is done and must contravene some law.
However hard working tax paying families are being bullied by this horrible council.

[quote][p][bold]NickBtn[/bold] wrote:
Why has the planning department got time for this, which doesn't seem wanted by anyone, but not time to respond to planning applications on time?
Why has the council picked just on these few roads? These bike sheds are all over Brighton. There are a few on my road. Yet the council is not targeting them. These sheds are typically the size of a couple of wheelie bins (which the council has freely littered our streets with) - so not normally a major issue. Surely an area where, although technically permission is required, no enforcement should be taken unless the shed is clearly massive and large enough for a car!
Another addition for the accident prone green led council. Great material for a comedy. Although with the greens killing fish, trying to chop down trees, reducing recycling and now being anti-bicycle it might look a bit far fetched![/p][/quote]Good luck to all the people who have nice, tidy storage in their front gardens. They do not offend the eye at all.
These roads in question lead onto Surrenden Road with its collection of very untidy traveller vans constantly parked but obviously nothing will ever be done about those as I am sure that council staff have regular memos telling them to let these van dwellers do just as they like. Also garden rubbish trailers have been parked at the top of Surrenden Crescent for around two years on and off. Looks ugly and again nothing is done and must contravene some law.
However hard working tax paying families are being bullied by this horrible council.Patsyr

Are yes but they will also spend hundreds of thousands making cycling safer buy creating new cycle paths so the cyclists can use the pavements and footpaths keeping the cycle paths clear of obstructions

[quote][p][bold]FC[/bold] wrote:
HEY!
We want you to cycle in Brighton to help the environment!
BUT DON'T YOU DARE ACTUALLY CYCLE IN BRIGHTON.
Please get the greens out.[/p][/quote]Are yes but they will also spend hundreds of thousands making cycling safer buy creating new cycle paths so the cyclists can use the pavements and footpaths keeping the cycle paths clear of obstructionswippasnapper

This is so typical of a number (not all) of Council "officers" who seem to have forgotten the meaning of public service. It is about time that our elected Councillors took control and stopped these unaccountable jobsworths running their own little fiefdoms. The residents should refuse to remove their sheds and request their councillors to call an emergency planning committee to instruct officers to stop this harassment. Don't moan, join together and fight against this absurd, but typical, decision.

This is so typical of a number (not all) of Council "officers" who seem to have forgotten the meaning of public service. It is about time that our elected Councillors took control and stopped these unaccountable jobsworths running their own little fiefdoms. The residents should refuse to remove their sheds and request their councillors to call an emergency planning committee to instruct officers to stop this harassment. Don't moan, join together and fight against this absurd, but typical, decision.STEVE THE RED

scottishb;ue wrote:
Not to mention travellers parking up all over the place

And have we not all noted that when this paper prints a story of travellers parking up somewhere we are not allowed to comment anymore

[quote][p][bold]scottishb;ue[/bold] wrote:
Not to mention travellers parking up all over the place[/p][/quote]And have we not all noted that when this paper prints a story of travellers parking up somewhere we are not allowed to comment anymorewippasnapper

"Caroline Lucas, MP for Brighton Pavilion, said: “On the face of things, the orders seem to me to be unreasonable and don’t sit well with all the positive measures the council is taking to promote cycling.”"

I think she actually means "…don't sit well with all the negative measures the council is taking to persecute and punish car drivers"

"Caroline Lucas, MP for Brighton Pavilion, said: “On the face of things, the orders seem to me to be unreasonable and don’t sit well with all the positive measures the council is taking to promote cycling.”"
I think she actually means "…don't sit well with all the negative measures the council is taking to persecute and punish car drivers"Phani Tikkala

If no one has been involved in initiating any enforcement actions over sheds in front gardens why are these 21 households in Withdean, Brighton, been served with notice to remove the sheds but the council – It has been said many times “The council seem to have a COMMUNICATIONS problem O’ and wile I’m thinking about it the council didn’t seem to have a problem with a tenant in Coldean putting a shed in there front garden even though several other tenants complained about it looking unsightly fact that the council at the time stated they could see nothing wrong with it seems hilarious they now have a problem with these 21 households in Withdean, O’ sorry someone in the council dose because no one initiating any enforcement and next we will hear them initiating enforcement on people with bin sheds in there front gardens… come on council officers get your heads out of your bum hulls!

If no one has been involved in initiating any enforcement actions over sheds in front gardens why are these 21 households in Withdean, Brighton, been served with notice to remove the sheds but the council – It has been said many times “The council seem to have a COMMUNICATIONS problem O’ and wile I’m thinking about it the council didn’t seem to have a problem with a tenant in Coldean putting a shed in there front garden even though several other tenants complained about it looking unsightly fact that the council at the time stated they could see nothing wrong with it seems hilarious they now have a problem with these 21 households in Withdean, O’ sorry someone in the council dose because no one initiating any enforcement and next we will hear them initiating enforcement on people with bin sheds in there front gardens… come on council officers get your heads out of your bum hulls!wippasnapper

Nobleox wrote:
For a change I totally agree with the council, and its high time they clamped down on EVERYONE flouting planning regulations, thereby giving areas a downtrodden appearance.

The article is about bike sheds you idiot.

[quote][p][bold]Nobleox[/bold] wrote:
For a change I totally agree with the council, and its high time they clamped down on EVERYONE flouting planning regulations, thereby giving areas a downtrodden appearance.[/p][/quote]The article is about bike sheds you idiot.tekniko

Nobleox wrote:
For a change I totally agree with the council, and its high time they clamped down on EVERYONE flouting planning regulations, thereby giving areas a downtrodden appearance.

The article is about bike sheds you idiot.

Thinking of my own road, if these sheds started to proliferate the area would soon look like a tip, so hopefully they won't be coming here any time soon. As always the problem is fairness. Once you allow these structures regardless of purpose you have to allow others until our streets look like a shanty town.

[quote][p][bold]tekniko[/bold] wrote:
[quote][p][bold]Nobleox[/bold] wrote:
For a change I totally agree with the council, and its high time they clamped down on EVERYONE flouting planning regulations, thereby giving areas a downtrodden appearance.[/p][/quote]The article is about bike sheds you idiot.[/p][/quote]Thinking of my own road, if these sheds started to proliferate the area would soon look like a tip, so hopefully they won't be coming here any time soon. As always the problem is fairness. Once you allow these structures regardless of purpose you have to allow others until our streets look like a shanty town.Plantpot

Yes you do need planning consent, however more to the point surely the question of green wheelie bins in conservation areas allowed out on the street. These should be put away when not in use. They are unslightly in the fact they ruin the street scene. What is the problem with having the bin in the back garden? It used to be the case before the bins were made available.

Yes you do need planning consent, however more to the point surely the question of green wheelie bins in conservation areas allowed out on the street. These should be put away when not in use. They are unslightly in the fact they ruin the street scene. What is the problem with having the bin in the back garden? It used to be the case before the bins were made available.speakerscorner

speakerscorner wrote:
Yes you do need planning consent, however more to the point surely the question of green wheelie bins in conservation areas allowed out on the street. These should be put away when not in use. They are unslightly in the fact they ruin the street scene. What is the problem with having the bin in the back garden? It used to be the case before the bins were made available.

In many areas where the wheelie bins proliferate, the housing is terraced, and split into flats, so there is no access to a back garden to store the large unwieldy bins.

[quote][p][bold]speakerscorner[/bold] wrote:
Yes you do need planning consent, however more to the point surely the question of green wheelie bins in conservation areas allowed out on the street. These should be put away when not in use. They are unslightly in the fact they ruin the street scene. What is the problem with having the bin in the back garden? It used to be the case before the bins were made available.[/p][/quote]In many areas where the wheelie bins proliferate, the housing is terraced, and split into flats, so there is no access to a back garden to store the large unwieldy bins.Bob_The_Ferret

The council target 'nice' areas because they want to keep them nice. The nice areas get money spent removing travellers and light up bus timetables and attention from council officers. However, the rules are not rolled out across the city so people get **** off about the inequality.
I live in a Labour ward where the Greens are targeting the student vote, so the student tenants and landlords do whatever they want, whenever they like because the Green council doesn't want to upset them. It's all about keeping them on side. They allow the erection of illegal extensions, they allow sheds in front gardens, they tolerate parking on pavements, caravans outside houses being lived in, they allow the fly tipping of furniture, they never, ever take action against repeat offenders putting the rubbish out on the wrong days in plastic bags so it get spilt across the streets, they take no action against illegal loft conversions which have people living in them despite not meeting building regs.
Therefore, the residents in this story should refuse to comply and tour the other areas of town taking photos of such sheds in gardens and claim equal rights. A poster above says there is one in Coldean, there are numerous front garden sheds, caravans, storage trailers on roads in the Ewehurst/Coombe Road/Freshfield a Road area so get snapping photos.
As I said earlier, it's either rules for all or none at all.

The council target 'nice' areas because they want to keep them nice. The nice areas get money spent removing travellers and light up bus timetables and attention from council officers. However, the rules are not rolled out across the city so people get **** off about the inequality.
I live in a Labour ward where the Greens are targeting the student vote, so the student tenants and landlords do whatever they want, whenever they like because the Green council doesn't want to upset them. It's all about keeping them on side. They allow the erection of illegal extensions, they allow sheds in front gardens, they tolerate parking on pavements, caravans outside houses being lived in, they allow the fly tipping of furniture, they never, ever take action against repeat offenders putting the rubbish out on the wrong days in plastic bags so it get spilt across the streets, they take no action against illegal loft conversions which have people living in them despite not meeting building regs.
Therefore, the residents in this story should refuse to comply and tour the other areas of town taking photos of such sheds in gardens and claim equal rights. A poster above says there is one in Coldean, there are numerous front garden sheds, caravans, storage trailers on roads in the Ewehurst/Coombe Road/Freshfield a Road area so get snapping photos.
As I said earlier, it's either rules for all or none at all.Maxwell's Ghost

I support the Council on this. Imagine if everyone started erecting structures in their front gardens because they'd heard the Council will ignore it. The place would become an eyesore.
There is a period of time after which the Council can't take enforcement action and something is deemed to have got consent. Will be worth looking into that. If people have photos and can prove something has been there for x years without complaint it can usually stay.

I support the Council on this. Imagine if everyone started erecting structures in their front gardens because they'd heard the Council will ignore it. The place would become an eyesore.
There is a period of time after which the Council can't take enforcement action and something is deemed to have got consent. Will be worth looking into that. If people have photos and can prove something has been there for x years without complaint it can usually stay.sussexram40

speakerscorner wrote:
Yes you do need planning consent, however more to the point surely the question of green wheelie bins in conservation areas allowed out on the street. These should be put away when not in use. They are unslightly in the fact they ruin the street scene. What is the problem with having the bin in the back garden? It used to be the case before the bins were made available.

In many areas where the wheelie bins proliferate, the housing is terraced, and split into flats, so there is no access to a back garden to store the large unwieldy bins.

of course there is access - thru the house! How do you think the coalman delivered the coal-people are bone idle these days expecting everything to be done for them

[quote][p][bold]Bob_The_Ferret[/bold] wrote:
[quote][p][bold]speakerscorner[/bold] wrote:
Yes you do need planning consent, however more to the point surely the question of green wheelie bins in conservation areas allowed out on the street. These should be put away when not in use. They are unslightly in the fact they ruin the street scene. What is the problem with having the bin in the back garden? It used to be the case before the bins were made available.[/p][/quote]In many areas where the wheelie bins proliferate, the housing is terraced, and split into flats, so there is no access to a back garden to store the large unwieldy bins.[/p][/quote]of course there is access - thru the house! How do you think the coalman delivered the coal-people are bone idle these days expecting everything to be done for themspeakerscorner

Unfortunately, planning has a rules is rules attitude and they are upholding the current guidance. In the past it has been the same with solar hot water systems in conservation areas (the birds could see a difference between roofs) and external insulation ( look really, really hard and you may see it). Policy changes brought common sense and there is plenty of room for a decent compromise that maintains the attractiveness of the area and allows cycle storage.

Unfortunately, planning has a rules is rules attitude and they are upholding the current guidance. In the past it has been the same with solar hot water systems in conservation areas (the birds could see a difference between roofs) and external insulation ( look really, really hard and you may see it). Policy changes brought common sense and there is plenty of room for a decent compromise that maintains the attractiveness of the area and allows cycle storage.HJarrs

Maxwell's Ghost wrote:
The council target 'nice' areas because they want to keep them nice. The nice areas get money spent removing travellers and light up bus timetables and attention from council officers. However, the rules are not rolled out across the city so people get **** off about the inequality.
I live in a Labour ward where the Greens are targeting the student vote, so the student tenants and landlords do whatever they want, whenever they like because the Green council doesn't want to upset them. It's all about keeping them on side. They allow the erection of illegal extensions, they allow sheds in front gardens, they tolerate parking on pavements, caravans outside houses being lived in, they allow the fly tipping of furniture, they never, ever take action against repeat offenders putting the rubbish out on the wrong days in plastic bags so it get spilt across the streets, they take no action against illegal loft conversions which have people living in them despite not meeting building regs.
Therefore, the residents in this story should refuse to comply and tour the other areas of town taking photos of such sheds in gardens and claim equal rights. A poster above says there is one in Coldean, there are numerous front garden sheds, caravans, storage trailers on roads in the Ewehurst/Coombe Road/Freshfield a Road area so get snapping photos.
As I said earlier, it's either rules for all or none at all.

they could pop over to woodingdean were you can put a shed on to the front of your house

[quote][p][bold]Maxwell's Ghost[/bold] wrote:
The council target 'nice' areas because they want to keep them nice. The nice areas get money spent removing travellers and light up bus timetables and attention from council officers. However, the rules are not rolled out across the city so people get **** off about the inequality.
I live in a Labour ward where the Greens are targeting the student vote, so the student tenants and landlords do whatever they want, whenever they like because the Green council doesn't want to upset them. It's all about keeping them on side. They allow the erection of illegal extensions, they allow sheds in front gardens, they tolerate parking on pavements, caravans outside houses being lived in, they allow the fly tipping of furniture, they never, ever take action against repeat offenders putting the rubbish out on the wrong days in plastic bags so it get spilt across the streets, they take no action against illegal loft conversions which have people living in them despite not meeting building regs.
Therefore, the residents in this story should refuse to comply and tour the other areas of town taking photos of such sheds in gardens and claim equal rights. A poster above says there is one in Coldean, there are numerous front garden sheds, caravans, storage trailers on roads in the Ewehurst/Coombe Road/Freshfield a Road area so get snapping photos.
As I said earlier, it's either rules for all or none at all.[/p][/quote]they could pop over to woodingdean were you can put a shed on to the front of your housewhatevernext2013

HJarrs wrote:
Unfortunately, planning has a rules is rules attitude and they are upholding the current guidance. In the past it has been the same with solar hot water systems in conservation areas (the birds could see a difference between roofs) and external insulation ( look really, really hard and you may see it). Policy changes brought common sense and there is plenty of room for a decent compromise that maintains the attractiveness of the area and allows cycle storage.

So what is the compromise? One one hand you have shanty sheds and on the other planning regs that don't allow for such structures.

I suspect by compromise you mean the planning rules being either changed to allow the sheds or ignored by the council so that they can be tolerated?

[quote][p][bold]HJarrs[/bold] wrote:
Unfortunately, planning has a rules is rules attitude and they are upholding the current guidance. In the past it has been the same with solar hot water systems in conservation areas (the birds could see a difference between roofs) and external insulation ( look really, really hard and you may see it). Policy changes brought common sense and there is plenty of room for a decent compromise that maintains the attractiveness of the area and allows cycle storage.[/p][/quote]So what is the compromise? One one hand you have shanty sheds and on the other planning regs that don't allow for such structures.
I suspect by compromise you mean the planning rules being either changed to allow the sheds or ignored by the council so that they can be tolerated?Plantpot

Cars in front gardens and parking on pavements seem to be tolerated. Bikes in front gardens are not. I would like to put mine in a shed in my front garden. To stop it (x2) getting rusty or stolen.

Cars in front gardens and parking on pavements seem to be tolerated. Bikes in front gardens are not. I would like to put mine in a shed in my front garden. To stop it (x2) getting rusty or stolen.Perseus

This is yet another that look like it's been lifted from the Brighton and Hove News website.
The odds are stacked against the planning department being able to do its job properly in so many ways that it seems daft to act with such illogical irrationality.
The bike sheds are far less unsightly than the wheelie bins and communal bins littering many of our terraced streets. They diminish the regency squares and terraces but the council is happy to deface our heritage.
It would surely be sensible for the Green administration to call a truce on this enforcement to allow time for a swift clarification or change of local policy. Cycling should be encouraged.

This is yet another that look like it's been lifted from the Brighton and Hove News website.
The odds are stacked against the planning department being able to do its job properly in so many ways that it seems daft to act with such illogical irrationality.
The bike sheds are far less unsightly than the wheelie bins and communal bins littering many of our terraced streets. They diminish the regency squares and terraces but the council is happy to deface our heritage.
It would surely be sensible for the Green administration to call a truce on this enforcement to allow time for a swift clarification or change of local policy. Cycling should be encouraged.Fred Long

I don't have access to my rear garden so carry my bikes through the house to the back garden as they tend to get stolen when chained to the garden railings at the front and thieves recognise what times they are chained up.
However, it seems as if the council tolerates sheds in front gardens if the area is not considered posh. If it's posh the council gets angry and takes enforcement action.
My elderly aunt lives off Coombe Road and had the phrase Fxxx Off you Ghetto something or other sprayed in red paint in huge letters on the wall opposite her house. I phoned the council to ask for it to be removed. The chap on the phone told me the council only removed graffiti if it was offensive and/or in conservation areas of the city. Clearly the f word wasn't offensive enough and the area not posh enough for her council tax to be spent on her community.
This council sticks two fingers up to equality.
If the council wants to enforce planning laws then it should trawl the whole city and remove all the sheds/illegal loft conversions/driveway
s etc.
Give us a hotline to call.

I don't have access to my rear garden so carry my bikes through the house to the back garden as they tend to get stolen when chained to the garden railings at the front and thieves recognise what times they are chained up.
However, it seems as if the council tolerates sheds in front gardens if the area is not considered posh. If it's posh the council gets angry and takes enforcement action.
My elderly aunt lives off Coombe Road and had the phrase Fxxx Off you Ghetto something or other sprayed in red paint in huge letters on the wall opposite her house. I phoned the council to ask for it to be removed. The chap on the phone told me the council only removed graffiti if it was offensive and/or in conservation areas of the city. Clearly the f word wasn't offensive enough and the area not posh enough for her council tax to be spent on her community.
This council sticks two fingers up to equality.
If the council wants to enforce planning laws then it should trawl the whole city and remove all the sheds/illegal loft conversions/driveway
s etc.
Give us a hotline to call.Maxwell's Ghost

NickBtn wrote:
Why has the planning department got time for this, which doesn't seem wanted by anyone, but not time to respond to planning applications on time?

Why has the council picked just on these few roads? These bike sheds are all over Brighton. There are a few on my road. Yet the council is not targeting them. These sheds are typically the size of a couple of wheelie bins (which the council has freely littered our streets with) - so not normally a major issue. Surely an area where, although technically permission is required, no enforcement should be taken unless the shed is clearly massive and large enough for a car!

Another addition for the accident prone green led council. Great material for a comedy. Although with the greens killing fish, trying to chop down trees, reducing recycling and now being anti-bicycle it might look a bit far fetched!

Not to mention the increased pollution.
I think this sounds like a case of someone trying prove that their job is worth while. What a ridiculous council this is.

[quote][p][bold]NickBtn[/bold] wrote:
Why has the planning department got time for this, which doesn't seem wanted by anyone, but not time to respond to planning applications on time?
Why has the council picked just on these few roads? These bike sheds are all over Brighton. There are a few on my road. Yet the council is not targeting them. These sheds are typically the size of a couple of wheelie bins (which the council has freely littered our streets with) - so not normally a major issue. Surely an area where, although technically permission is required, no enforcement should be taken unless the shed is clearly massive and large enough for a car!
Another addition for the accident prone green led council. Great material for a comedy. Although with the greens killing fish, trying to chop down trees, reducing recycling and now being anti-bicycle it might look a bit far fetched![/p][/quote]Not to mention the increased pollution.
I think this sounds like a case of someone trying prove that their job is worth while. What a ridiculous council this is.BtnLaurence

We had a box the same size as the one pictured in front of the house for years, until we no longer needed it. When we git it we checked and were told it didn't require planning permission as it was below a certain size On another note isn't it nice that Stevo the Troll is on holiday, people can comment with out having Stevos warped spin put on everything

We had a box the same size as the one pictured in front of the house for years, until we no longer needed it. When we git it we checked and were told it didn't require planning permission as it was below a certain size On another note isn't it nice that Stevo the Troll is on holiday, people can comment with out having Stevos warped spin put on everythingJust trying to earn a crust

The Council aren't particularly 'pro-bike' they are just vehemently 'anti-car', unless of course the car is towing a caravan onto Wild Park or Stanmer Park then they bend over backwards to accomodate it,

The Council aren't particularly 'pro-bike' they are just vehemently 'anti-car', unless of course the car is towing a caravan onto Wild Park or Stanmer Park then they bend over backwards to accomodate it,Bill in Hanover

NickBrt wrote:
Paint the words &quot;anti fracking devices" on the sheds and Lucas will declare them national monuments.

That's actually quite funny. It does look like 'green' messages are getting mixed up here with what's genuinely in the public interest, and in that context I say that removing sensible structures that accommodate bikes shouldn't be a priority for the council, whoever is running it. I agree there are a few eyesores in some gardens - mainly because they've been sited at odd angles - but how is that more 'offensive' than other things that some homeowners seem to get away with, such as ugly loft windows that don't fit with the house architecture or concreted-over gardens with cars parked right up to their front windows (check out Reigate Road)? Requiring people to take down bike sheds would be ridiculous. And it seems strange that many of these sheds have been around for years and the powers-that-be have only just started making a fuss over it . I also think they are an enhancement to neighbourhood property - surely a selling point to future bike-minded purchasers?

[quote][p][bold]NickBrt[/bold] wrote:
Paint the words "anti fracking devices" on the sheds and Lucas will declare them national monuments.[/p][/quote]That's actually quite funny. It does look like 'green' messages are getting mixed up here with what's genuinely in the public interest, and in that context I say that removing sensible structures that accommodate bikes shouldn't be a priority for the council, whoever is running it. I agree there are a few eyesores in some gardens - mainly because they've been sited at odd angles - but how is that more 'offensive' than other things that some homeowners seem to get away with, such as ugly loft windows that don't fit with the house architecture or concreted-over gardens with cars parked right up to their front windows (check out Reigate Road)? Requiring people to take down bike sheds would be ridiculous. And it seems strange that many of these sheds have been around for years and the powers-that-be have only just started making a fuss over it . I also think they are an enhancement to neighbourhood property - surely a selling point to future bike-minded purchasers?runnergirl

The moral is don't go pandering to the whims of a council that would like evetyone to use a pushbike, unless the sheds they go in are visually offensive.

Whatever happened to permitted development?
The moral is don't go pandering to the whims of a council that would like evetyone to use a pushbike, unless the sheds they go in are visually offensive.Skidrow

These sheds look tidy to me. I don't object to these _low_ sheds with small footprints for bikes, wood stores or wheelie bins. I'd welcome them. It's more of a technical issue.

Sounds more like a case for your MP than the council.

(I assume the new build with adjoining bike store mentioned above had planning from the outset.)

No outbuilding on land forward of a wall forming the principal elevation.
Source:
http://www.planningp
ortal.gov.uk/permiss
ion/commonprojects/o
utbuildings/
I'd say that was pretty clear.
These sheds look tidy to me. I don't object to these _low_ sheds with small footprints for bikes, wood stores or wheelie bins. I'd welcome them. It's more of a technical issue.
Sounds more like a case for your MP than the council.
(I assume the new build with adjoining bike store mentioned above had planning from the outset.)grabur

paragraph 021:
Can local planning authorities tailor permitted development rights to their own circumstances?

Permitted development rights can be expanded via a Local Development Order or Neighbourhood Development Order, or, they can be withdrawn via an article 4 direction.

[quote][p][bold]grabur[/bold] wrote:
No outbuilding on land forward of a wall forming the principal elevation.
Source:
http://www.planningp
ortal.gov.uk/permiss
ion/commonprojects/o
utbuildings/
I'd say that was pretty clear.
These sheds look tidy to me. I don't object to these _low_ sheds with small footprints for bikes, wood stores or wheelie bins. I'd welcome them. It's more of a technical issue.
Sounds more like a case for your MP than the council.
(I assume the new build with adjoining bike store mentioned above had planning from the outset.)[/p][/quote]Contrary to what the Council are saying, local authorities are not hamstrung by national policy. They could introduce local legislation to allow bike sheds:
http://planningguida
nce.planningportal.g
ov.uk/blog/guidance/
when-is-permission-r
equired/what-are-per
mitted-development-r
ights/
paragraph 021:
Can local planning authorities tailor permitted development rights to their own circumstances?
Permitted development rights can be expanded via a Local Development Order or Neighbourhood Development Order, or, they can be withdrawn via an article 4 direction.kieranbarnard

[quote][p][bold]grabur[/bold] wrote:
No outbuilding on land forward of a wall forming the principal elevation.
Source:
http://www.planningp
ortal.gov.uk/permiss
ion/commonprojects/o
utbuildings/
I'd say that was pretty clear.
These sheds look tidy to me. I don't object to these _low_ sheds with small footprints for bikes, wood stores or wheelie bins. I'd welcome them. It's more of a technical issue.
Sounds more like a case for your MP than the council.
(I assume the new build with adjoining bike store mentioned above had planning from the outset.)[/p][/quote]Also, they successfully changed local legislation in Edinburgh last year to allow for bike sheds:
http://www.scotsman.
com/news/transport/b
ike-shed-rule-to-be-
axed-to-encourage-cy
cling-1-2937088kieranbarnard

“The reason for these guidelines is to prevent developments in front gardens ruining the general street scene. " - However we wont be moving smelly characters, sleeping on filthy mattresses, from shop-fronts on one of our leading streets ! Says it all about inane Councils.

“The reason for these guidelines is to prevent developments in front gardens ruining the general street scene. " - However we wont be moving smelly characters, sleeping on filthy mattresses, from shop-fronts on one of our leading streets ! Says it all about inane Councils.Sir Prised

Sir Prised wrote:
“The reason for these guidelines is to prevent developments in front gardens ruining the general street scene. &quot; - However we wont be moving smelly characters, sleeping on filthy mattresses, from shop-fronts on one of our leading streets ! Says it all about inane Councils.

what they need to do (this 'green' council, is to make a start by cleaning the **!!****!!! streets!!!
Brighton planning is farcical. Believe me, I'm a victim!

[quote][p][bold]Sir Prised[/bold] wrote:
“The reason for these guidelines is to prevent developments in front gardens ruining the general street scene. " - However we wont be moving smelly characters, sleeping on filthy mattresses, from shop-fronts on one of our leading streets ! Says it all about inane Councils.[/p][/quote]what they need to do (this 'green' council, is to make a start by cleaning the **!!****!!! streets!!!
Brighton planning is farcical. Believe me, I'm a victim!Zykonaton

Under a Green 'bike fetish' council. You could not make it up. Over to you Steve :0 http://www.theargus.
co.uk/news/11366427.
Not_a_present_for_so
meone_you_love____Po
liticians_plastered_
over_chamber_pots/

Under a Green 'bike fetish' council. You could not make it up. Over to you Steve :0 http://www.theargus.
co.uk/news/11366427.
Not_a_present_for_so
meone_you_love____Po
liticians_plastered_
over_chamber_pots/yatman